WYC 156 – Girls Lacrosse – Dave Briglio – Say Less & Ask More

Dave’s bio:

My direct sports coaching experience range from 2-10th grade for the past 10-yrs, but I also intersect with the varsity players while I’m working w JV (girls lacrosse). But my day job (consulting Engineer) is what led me to learning to coach adults on the job, and see how similar the process is between 8-18 yr olds and 22-62 yr olds…different nuances, but it all comes from the same place: connections, compassion and creating community. And it doesn’t have to be all rainbows and unicorns; but it certainly takes a lot more than “managing” and “instructing” with a firm attitude.

My big interest is seeing how critical youth/HS sports are in helping the next generation grow into the best people they can be. And I tell stories about my time as an athlete, mentors I’ve found after college, my family history (Dad created a company/vocation with a HS diploma and a work ethic futures through sports), and the young people I “serve” as their “Chief” Engineer.

And I now use these stories to help PARENTS see how to have less worry and find more joy in their kids’ sports/school.

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Show Notes – WYC 156 – Dave Briglio

Coaching your own kids

In an ideal world you can have non-parent coaches, but often there aren’t enough coaches so you have to step up to help the program

The key is to be open and honest and communicate with your own kid and the other kids about being a parent coach

Teaching skills

Guided Discovery – It is more effective to let the kids figure it out on their own vs you just telling the kids how to do it

Start with a basic drill, and as they develop expertise in that skill, you add a twist to the drill to add complexity

Letting the players own the game

The players can’t hear you – so barking orders during the game is very inneffective and frustrating

Send in instructions with the next group/line. Coach them vs. yelling at the players on the field.

Achieving Peak performance mentally

Praise the effort over achievement

Fear is a very short-term motivation. A feeling of security and that someone believes in you is best way to increase kids’ confidence.

Figure out what you want to celebrate – and do it a bunch, in practice and in games. Real-time (otherwise it feels like false praise if you do it later.)

Some of the best praise is when you are doing it ‘behind their back’ – when you are praising someone who is not there at the time.

Self Esteem vs Self Confidence

Confidence is what you visibly display. But esteem is what you truly believe about yourself.